The next generation of culinary artisans are changing up the industry. These artisans have a whole new approach to reaching and satisfying the next generation consumer. In this podcast we will explore chefs and artisans from around the world diving into their story and passion.

In this episode of Chef AF, I chat with Nadia Caterina Munno, known as The Pasta Queen about building her brand, the importance and influence of family, her passion for authenticity and the inspiration for her debut cookbook, The Pasta Queen: A Just Gorgeous Cookbook.

Munno was born and raised in Rome before moving to the United States. She comes from a generation of pasta makers. Her father's family is down south near Naples, and that's where the pasta factory business started in the 1800s. Munno’s family have been farmers since the 1700s and this instilled in her the love and passion she has for food.

Munno a mother of four, talks about creating The Pasta Queen, her brand from scratch, she said she had a premonition in 2015 while in London in a corporate environment. And I was dealing with contracts and sales quotas and all of that. She says, “I kind of made a New Year's resolution that I wanted to go back to what my passion is and what I love most is entertaining and cooking.” Munno adds, “I started off on YouTube by posting occasional videos of me cooking and showing my authentic family recipes.”

The Pasta Queen quickly grew her community on TikTok, Instagram and back to YouTube, by sticking to her mission of showing authentic Italian cuisine. She says, “I think it's because they're such simple and cost effective, comforting recipes that are very easy for people to make at home. And I think that the sharing of those recipes got me where I am, because people just keep sharing my recipes with their loved ones and friends and they’re simple recipes. So I think that that's the key here.”

To hear Munno talk about the importance of elevating each other, get The Pasta Queen’s recipe for Lord Lemony Pesto plus her top three sauces check out this episode of Chef AF “It’s All Food.” You can listen to this episode and more on Spotify!